An effector from the Huanglongbing-associated pathogen targets citrus proteases

The citrus industry is facing an unprecedented challenge from Huanglongbing (HLB). All cultivars can be affected by the HLB-associated bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) and there is no known resistance. Insight into HLB pathogenesis is urgently needed in order to develop effective management strategies. Here, we use Sec-delivered effector 1 (SDE1), which is conserved in all CLas isolates, as a molecular probe to understand CLas virulence. We show that SDE1 directly interacts with citrus papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) and inhibits protease activity. PLCPs are defense-inducible and exhibit increased protein accumulation in CLas-infected trees, suggesting a role in citrus defense responses. We analyzed PLCP activity in field samples, revealing specific members that increase in abundance but remain unchanged in activity during infection. SDE1-expressing transgenic citrus also exhibit reduced PLCP activity. These data demonstrate that SDE1 inhibits citrus PLCPs, which are immune-related proteases that enhance defense responses in plants

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

KPFM and DFT as tools to correlate the charge distribution and molecular orientation of dendritic adsorbates on different surfaces

The interaction between metals and organic layers is currently a hot topic due to its relevance in future applications based on hybrid organic/inorganic systems at the nanoscale. This work studies the surface modification of HOPG and gold substrates by spontaneous adsorption of aryl-dendrons based on either 3,5-bis(3,5-dinitrobenzoylamino) or 3,5-bis(3,5-diaminobenzoylamino) benzoic acids at fully controlled conditions. KPFM is used to assess the local work function variations upon assembly. A correlation between changes in work function values and spatial ordering of the adsorbates is observed. The aryl-dendrons interact with graphite surfaces through π-π stacking, allowing the formation of ordered layers. Due to depolarization effects, these films cause changes in the local work function values that are smaller on graphite surfaces than on gold substrates. Furthermore, the presence of molecular aggregates driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonding for the case of amino functionalized surfaces has a direct impact on the local work function, which varies depending on whether the areas are partially covered or densely packed. DFT calculations were performed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the correlation between the work function variations and the orientation of the effective molecular dipole moment due to the underlying molecular structures of the adsorbed layer.Fil: Farias, Eliana Desiree. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Fisicoquímica; ArgentinaFil: Zoloff Michoff, Martin Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Química Teórica y Computacional; ArgentinaFil: Sueldo Occello, Valeria Noemi. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Fisicoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Brunetti, Veronica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Fisicoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Passeggi, Mario Cesar Genaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Física del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Física del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Glatzel, Thilo. Universitat Basel; Suiz

Composición fitoquímica de la Satureja brevicalyx Epling

Introduction: Epling brevicalyx savory grows in the southern Andes of Peru (Ayacucho, Apurimac, Cuzco and Puno), between altitudes of 3300-3800 m, within the chemical composition of the essential oil of Satureja brevicalyx can find several constituents as mentonas, pulegonas, linalool. Traditionally it has been used as a digestive, against gastritis, flatulence and antispasmodic.Objective: To identify the chemical composition of the ethanol extract, hexane / ethanol and the aqueous brevicalyx Satureja Epling for secondary metabolites that are of interest in biological therapeutics.M e t h o d s : &nbsp;T h e &nbsp;l e a v e s &nbsp;w e r e &nbsp;e x u d e d &nbsp;a n d dehydrated at room temperature, obtaining a greenish dry powder which underwent successive extractions with solvents of increasing polarity. To the obtained extracts phytochemicals identification assays.R e s u l t s : &nbsp;T h e &nbsp;p h y t o c h e m i c a l &nbsp;s c r e e n i n g , conducted at the ethanolic extracts, hexane / aqueous ethanol and the leaves, showed the existence &nbsp;of &nbsp;several &nbsp;families &nbsp;of &nbsp;secondary metabolites &nbsp;of &nbsp;biological &nbsp;and &nbsp;pharmacological interest, among which stand out for their significant presence of quinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins.Conclusions: According&nbsp; to&nbsp; the&nbsp; presence&nbsp; of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Satureja brevicalyx Epling and pharmacological effects reported for the essential oil of the species, it would be important to conduct further studies to serve as evidence to support its traditional use taking into account the efficacy and safety of this plant. &nbsp;Satureja brevicalyx Epling crece en la parte sur andina del Perú (Ayacucho, Apurimac, Cuzco y Puno), entre las altitudes de 3300-3800 msnm, dentro de la composición química del aceite e s e n c i a l d e S a t u r e j a b r e v i c a l y x p o d e m o s encontrar varios constituyentes como mentonas, pulegonas, linalol. Tradicionalmente se ha usado como digestivo, contra la gastritis, flatulencia y antiespasmódica.OBJETIVO:Identificar la composición química del extracto etanólico,Hexano/etanol y acuoso de la Satureja brevicalyx Epling para conocer los metabolitos secundarios que sean de interés biológico en la terapeútica. MÉTODOS:Las hojas fueron exudadas y deshidratadas a temperatura ambiente, obteniéndose un polvo seco de color verdoso al cual se sometieron a extracciones sucessivas com solventes&nbsp; de polaridad creciente. A los extractos obtenidos se realizaron ensayos fitoquímicos de identificación. RESULTADOS:El tamizaje fitoquímico ,efectuado a los extractos etanólico, hexano/etanol y acuoso de la hojas,demostró la existencia de varias familias de meta bolitos secundarios de interés biológico y farmacológico, entre los que se destacan, por su significativa presencia las, quinonas, flavonoides, alcaloides ,fenoles , taninos. CONCLUSIONES : De acuerdo a la presencia de los metabolitos secundarios presentes en las hojas de la Satureja brevicalyx Epling , así&nbsp; como los efec tos farmacológicos reportados para el aceite esencial de la especie, sería importante efectuar nuevos estudios que sirvan como evidencias para avalar su empleo tradicional teniendo en cuenta la eficacia y seguridad de esta planta

From structure to function - a family portrait of plant subtilases

Contents Summary 901 I. Introduction 901 II. Biochemistry and structure of plant SBTs 902 III. Phylogeny of plant SBTs and family organization 903 IV. Physiological roles of plant SBTs 905 V. Conclusions and outlook 911 Acknowledgements 912 References 912 SUMMARY: Subtilases (SBTs) are serine peptidases that are found in all three domains of life. As compared with homologs in other Eucarya, plant SBTs are more closely related to archaeal and bacterial SBTs, with which they share many biochemical and structural features. However, in the course of evolution, functional diversification led to the acquisition of novel, plant-specific functions, resulting in the present-day complexity of the plant SBT family. SBTs are much more numerous in plants than in any other organism, and include enzymes involved in general proteolysis as well as highly specific processing proteases. Most SBTs are targeted to the cell wall, where they contribute to the control of growth and development by regulating the properties of the cell wall and the activity of extracellular signaling molecules. Plant SBTs affect all stages of the life cycle as they contribute to embryogenesis, seed development and germination, cuticle formation and epidermal patterning, vascular development, programmed cell death, organ abscission, senescence, and plant responses to their biotic and abiotic environments. In this article we provide a comprehensive picture of SBT structure and function in plants

Relationship Between Pulmonary Hypertension and Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Objectives: To identify predictors of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and the predictive value of PHT for rehospitalization among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: A retrospective study of 351 hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). Patients 18 years and above with HFrEF secondary to non-ischemic cardiomyopathy were reviewed. Patients with coronary artery disease, preserved ejection fraction and other secondary causes of PHT apart from HF were excluded. PHT as a predictor of 30-day and six-month re-admission was assessed as well as important possible predictors of PHT. Cox regression analysis, multiple linear regression as well as other statistical tools were employed as deemed appropriate. Results: Thirty-seven (37) and 99 patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days and 6 months after discharge for decompensated HF, respectively. After Cox regression analysis, higher hemoglobin reduced the odds of rehospitalization for decompensated HF (p = 0.015) within 30 days after discharge while higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (p = 0.002) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p = 0.041) increased the odds of rehospitalization within 6 months of discharge. The predictors of the PHT among patients with HFrEF after multiple linear regression were low BMI (p = 0.027), increasing age (p = 0.006) and increased left atrial diameter (LAD) on echocardiography (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with HFrEF have a high predisposition to developing PHT if at admission, they have low BMI, dilated left atrium or are older. Patients with one or more of these attributes may need more intensive therapy to reduce the risk of developing PHT and in turn reduce readmission rates

Spatial pattern of abundance of the mosquito, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus, in relation to habitat characteristics

Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus and potentially of other arboviruses in Argentina. Surges of adult population abundance during the rainy season are a nuisance, affecting milk and beef production. Larvae develop in short periods in shallow temporary ground pools on fresh or brackish water. Although adults seem to disperse long distances from larval habitats, little is known about their habitat preferences. This work studied factors affecting the spatial pattern of adult Oc. albifasciatus abundance. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC miniature light traps baited with CO2 at 28 sites located to the south of Mar Chiquita Lagoon, from November 1997 to April 1998. Each site was typified according to its predominating vegetation cover, potential breeding site occurrence, land slope and cattle density. The spatial and temporal patterns of abundance suggested that Oc. albifasciatus prefers prairies and natural grasslands subject to periodic flooding vs. woodland and farm land. A discriminant function based on the proximity to potential larval habitats, distance to woodland and land slope accurately classified 95% of the data categorized as having an average high (>500 mosquitoes) or low (<500 mosquitoes) abundance, and was validated using six sites located away from the study area. An analysis of the temporal variation of mosquito abundance high-lighted the influence of the dynamics of the larval habitats on adult mosquito abundance.Fil: Gleiser, Raquel M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Schelotto, Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Gorla, David Eladio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentin